The public is invited to hear a discussion about HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted virus and the cancers it can cause, Tuesday, January 31, at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. The title of the discussion is “HPV…Don’t Pass It Along.”

Registration and light refreshments will begin at 5:30 p.m. at SCI, 315 W. Carpenter, Room 1012. The program is presented by Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU, Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital. Funding support has been provided by PNC, formerly National City Bank.

Guest speakers for the event are Dr. Christopher Gleason, associate professor of family and community medicine at SIU School of Medicine; Edward Gershburg, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology, SCI; and Megan Zanger, family nurse practitioner, gynecologic oncology, SCI.

The panelists will discuss preventative measures, treatments and recent recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concerning HPV.

Several types of cancer are associated with HPV in both women and men, according to the CDC. Statistics also show that more than 20,000 HPV-associated cancers occur in women each year and more than 11,000 annually in men.

Pre-registration for the free event is encouraged and available by phone at 217-545-3837 weekdays or on-line at www.siumed.edu/cancer. The event is part of SCI’s continuing free Community Cancer Wellness Education Program.

The mission of Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU is to serve the people of central and southern Illinois by addressing their present and future cancer needs through education, research, patient care and community service. Its website is www.siumed.edu/cancer.